Governments react to new Tibetan-Chinese dialogue
The following is a list of public reactions thus far (January 26) from national capitals on the announcement that the representatives of the Dalai Lama are in Beijing for the ninth round of their dialogue with their Chinese counterparts.
It is interesting to observe that the British and the Danes expressly are calling for “meaningful autonomy” or “genuine self-rule” for Tibetans as a goal of the dialogue. By contrast, the U.S. and Canadians are so far taking a more diffident approach by referring merely to “longstanding differences” or “outstanding issues.” Importantly, all of the statements express the desire for a resolution/results from the talks.
Of course, the U.S. statement will be put in context of the upcoming meeting between the Dalai Lama and President Obama, which the White House has said is “most certain.” And the Danish statement will be analyzed against the criticism it received for its pre-Copenhagen summit statement on the status of Tibet.
The Chinese government statement? Singularly one-sided: “We hope that the Dalai Lama will appreciate the opportunity and respond positively to the requests of the central government,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told journalists in Beijing.
Representatives of Dalai Lama meeting Chinese authorities
25 Jan 2010
Foreign Office Minister Ivan Lewis welcomes the news that representatives of the Dalai Lama would meet the Chinese authorities.
On hearing that representatives of the Dalai Lama would meet the Chinese authorities on 26 January 2010, Foreign Office Minister Ivan Lewis said:
‘I welcome the announcement of the resumption of dialogue between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama. I urge both sides to enter these talks in good faith and to make progress towards meaningful autonomy for Tibet. Peaceful dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama’s representatives is the only way to bring about a lasting and peaceful solution to the problems in Tibet. I made this clear during my own visit to Tibet and Beijing last year.’
Canada Welcomes New China-Dalai Lama Talks
(No. 42 – January 25, 2010 – 4:30 p.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement welcoming the first meeting in 15 months between representatives of the Chinese government and of the Dalai Lama:
“Canada has consistently advocated substantive dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama or his representatives. I urge the two sides to approach this new round of talks with a commitment to serious and meaningful dialogue aimed at resolving outstanding issues in a manner acceptable to both.
“The Government of Canada attaches a great deal of importance to the treatment of ethnic Tibetans in China, and to their ability to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association, spiritual belief and peaceful protest.”
Dalai Lama’s Special Envoys Meeting with Chinese Officials
Philip J. Crowley, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Public Affairs
Washington, DC
January 25, 2010
The United States was pleased to learn that the Dalai Lama’s Special Envoys arrived today in China for their ninth round of meetings with Chinese officials. The two sides met in Beijing in November 2008. The United States strongly supports dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama’s representatives to address longstanding differences. The Administration hopes this meeting will produce positive results and provide a foundation for future discussions to resolve outstanding issues.
Dialogue between Tibet and China
In connection with the resumption of negotiations between representatives of the Dalai Lama and China, the Foreign Minister states:
“I am very satisfied that the negotiations between representatives of the Dalai Lama and China have now been resumed after a 15 months break. I therefore again call on both parties to engage themselves constructively in the negotitions and hope that the dialogue will be carried through to a result which ensures that Tibetans attain genuine self-rule, with cultural and religious freedom and respect for human rights within the framework of the Chinese constitution. Dialogue is the only way forward to a peaceful solution to the question of Tibet.”
Photo caption: Lodi Gyari Gyaltsen, Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (L) and Du Qinglin, Director of the United Front Work Department (R) at the eighth round of Sino-Tibetan dialog in Beijing in November 2008.
6 Responses to “Governments react to new Tibetan-Chinese dialogue”
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Visit ICT's website to find out more about Tibet and Tibetan issues.
In 821/822 CE Tibet and China signed a peace treaty. A bilingual account of this treaty, including details of the borders between the two countries, is inscribed on a stone pillar which stands outside the Jokhang temple in Lhasa.
China continues to assert that Tibet is a part of Greater China. Its a claim that is repudiated by the “peace treaty”. I urge the European Union, the United States & Canada to support & promote Tibet’s full independence from China.
http://www.savetibet.org/
This is the most sensible thing that China can do, to have a proper dialogue with the reps of Dalai Lama. As even though China may be a super power where trade is concerned but its name is tarnished by its Human right record, which is atrocious.
So, this long standing issue should finally come to an end. China should do the right thing by giving the Dalai Lama his long deserved Autonomy. So, that China is respected as a nation by the world.
No man owns another
A meaningful dialogue would enhance if ‘genuine autonomy’ with in the framework of Chinese rule is ensured for a permanent congenial relation of both Tibetan and Chinese people in future. This would augment peace and stability in Asia which will ensure world peace.
I echo the sentiments of the Danish & U.K. statements. As an American proud of our President Obama, and recognizing the deficit that the last administration left the U.S. in, I know that we are now financially beholden to China; therefore, though I respectfully disagree with the very delicate & diplomatic position of the U.S. statement, I can understand its tone.
Dear China, I have immense respect for the glorious minds of China’s past (i.e., Lao Tsu, Confucius, Sun Tsu, Hui-neng, and more). I also admire your nation’s exceptionally rapid growth. However, the human rights violations, the treatment of Tibetans and the depictions of H.H. the Dalai is not in keeping with a superpower. Please grant the Tibetan autonomy.
China, you made your statement clear that you reign over Tibet when the Olympic flame traveled through it. Peacefully resolve with your ego and the negotiations that the peaceful request for “genuine self-rule” in Tibet and finally respond accordingly. Use up their resources however you would like, Tibetans have no control over your hard-hearted decisions made for the land, but cultural and religious freedom and RESPECT for human rights is all Tibetans have given you with no judgment or force, while they watch theirs diminish year after year. Break down your wall of ego and let it go. Leave Tibetans with what is left of their culture and religious rights.
With respect,
Cecilia Maria Marrero